PI-02: FOLLOW-UP RESULTS OF A PHASE 2 STUDY ASSESSING THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF MITAPIVAT TREATMENT, AN ORAL PYRUVATE KINASE ACTIVATOR, FOR UP TO 60 WEEKS IN SUBJECTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Authors: VAN DIJK M., RAB M., VAN OIRSCHOT B., BOS J., DERICHS C., RIJNEVELD A., CNOSSEN M., NUR E., BIEMOND B., BARTELS M., JANS J., VAN SOLINGE W., SCHUTGENS R., VAN WIJK R., VAN BEERS E.
Journal: HemaSphere (2022)

Purpose: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a devastating red blood cell (RBC) disorder in which polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) upon deoxygenation results in poorly deformable sickled RBCs with a shortened lifespan. 2,3-Diphosphyglycerate (2,3-DPG), a glycolytic intermediate in RBCs, promotes deoxygenation by lowering hemoglobin (Hb)-oxygen affinity. Mitapivat (AG-348) is an oral allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase (PK), a key enzyme in RBC glycolysis generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reducing 2,3-DPG levels. Here, we report follow-up data of the safety and efficacy of mitapivat treatment in subjects with SCD enrolled in the currently ongoing ESTIMATE study (www.trialregister.nl NL8517; EudraCT 2019-003438-18). Materials and methods: The ESTIMATE study is a phase 2, investigator initiated, open-label study. Subjects ≥16 years with SCD (HbSS, HbS/β0 or HbS/β+), 1-10 vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in the prior year and/or prior SCD-related complications, a Hb level >6.1 g/dL and ≤11.1 g/dL, and not receiving chronic transfusions are eligible. In the 8-week mitapivat dose finding period, initial dosing is 20 mg twice daily escalated to max 100 mg twice daily, and followed by ≤52-week fixed dose extension period (FDEP). Primary endpoints are safety, based on adverse events (AEs), and efficacy of mitapivat treatment based on RBC sickling (Point of Sickling (PoS), oxygen gradient ektacytometry). Key secondary endpoints are changes in Hb level, markers of hemolysis, ATP and 2,3-DPG levels, and Hb-oxygen affinity (p50, Hemox Analyzer). Results: Until Jan. 2022, nine subjects received mitapivat. Baseline characteristics: median age 22 years (range 16-59), 6/9 (67%) female, and 6/9 (67%) used hydroxyurea. 7/9 (78%) had HbSS, 1/9 (11%) HbS/β0, and 1/9 (11%) HbS/β+. One subject with a non-treatment related serious AE (SAE) of a urinary tract infection (grade 4), was lost to follow-up shortly after first dosing. No other SAEs or treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) grade ≥3 occurred. The remaining eight subjects had a median treatment duration of 38 weeks (range 11-60). 6/8 (75%) took 100 mg mitapivat twice daily in the FDEP, and 2/8 (25%) took 50 mg mitapivat twice daily after a single dose reduction because of transaminase increase. The most common TEAEs (n>2 subjects): ALT or AST increase (both 5/9, 56%; all grade 1), headache (4/9, 44%; grade 1-2). Three VOCs occurred: one related to excessive alcohol consumption with no need for hospitalization, and two in subjects with documented noncompliance the week before hospitalization. Mean annual VOC rate and SCD-related hospital admission days were, respectively, 1.5±1.3 and 5.9±7.1 days at baseline, and reduced to 0.5±0.7 and 1.6±3.1 days when weighting cases by follow-up duration (p=0.021 and p=0.134, respectively). Table 1 summarizes mean changes in different endpoint parameters of scheduled visits in the FDEP versus baseline. Hb level significantly increased, accompanied by a decrease in markers of hemolysis (absolute reticulocyte count, total bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase). Mean PoS decreased, and p50, 2,3-DPG level and ATP/2,3-DPG ratio significantly improved. Conclusion: Treatment with mitapivat for up to 60 weeks in subjects with SCD showed no treatment related TEAEs grade ≥3. Improvements in anemia, markers of hemolysis, oxygen affinity, 2,3-DPG level and ATP/2,3-DPG ratio were seen. Follow-up data will be collected.Table 1. The authors do not declare any conflict of interest